Rod classifiers



5 SheetsSheet 1 'w. H. PECK Ron CLASSIFIERSl Filed July 14. 1954 MN l @u N um NN 1 lall um. Y A i 1 lr MM. i

Sept. 1'6, 195s Se'pt. 16, 1958 w. H. PECK 2,852,136

ROD CLASSIFIERS Filed July 14, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w. H. PECK Ron CLASSIFIERS sept; 16, 195s I 5 Sheets-Sheet'l 3 Filed July 14, 195,4

Sept. 16, 1958 w. H. PECK Ron CLASSIFIERS 5 Sheets-S'heet 4 Filed July 14. 1954 Sept. 16, 1958 W, H, PECK 2,852,136

ROD CLASSIFIERS Filed July 14. 1954 E 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 III/IIIA ROD CLASSIFIERS William H. Peck, Tulsa, Okla., assigner, by mesne assignments, to American-Marietta Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 14, 1954, Serial No. 443,273

6 Claims. (Cl. 209-99) yThe invention relates to apparatus for classifying rods which are used in cores or moulds for Ifoundry work.

In foundries, many rods of different-lengths are used which become bent and are straightened for re-use. One object of the invention is to provide apparatus for classifying the straightened rods according to length as they are delivered by the straightening mechanism, for expediting their selection or handling for re-use.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for classifying rods according to length, which is eicient in operation and simple in construction.

Other objects will appear from the detailed descripnon.

The invention consists in theseveral vnovel Yfeatures hereinafter described, and more particularly defined -by .claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation lof apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line S-S of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a transverse section'on line 7-7 of Fig. 6, illustrating the rod straightener and-rolls `for feeding the straightened rods to the classifier;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of the table over which the rod are shifted and the subjacent bins for the classified rods;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9 9 of Fig.r8;

Fig. l0 is a detailed section of one of cross .connections between the chains of the endless conveyor and one 'of the rollers for the chains; and

Fig. ll is a section taken on line 11 ofrFig. 7.

in foundry practice, many rods of different lengths are used in cores and sand moulds. After a casting has been made, the rods are recovered from the cores. In recovering the rods they become bent or kinked so that they must be straightened for re-use. Their handling for re-use in cores is expedited by classification as to length. The rods may be straightened, for example, by mechanism, which comprises a pair of die members and 11, one of which is reciprocable relatively to the other, each having a pair of series of die faces 12 and 13, the faces of one-series of each member being relatively inclined and staggered with respect to the other series on the same member, each series of faces ofV each of the members being transversely aligned and parallel with and opposed to a series of each of the members being spaced apart to receive between them the ldie faces of the series in the other member. The die faces of each member are V-shaped so that during reciprocation of one die relatively to the other, bent portions ,or kinks in a rod will be removed fromend toV endof the rod as `it is-subjected to hammerfblowsprqgressively fromend lto end.

States Patent() ICC The reciprocable dieis continuously operated by suitgable power-driven mechanism for successive hammer ,blows as the rods are progressivelyadvanced eridwise between the-dies. Therods are delivered to the classifier by a `pair of coactingfeed rolls 16 and 17 which are adapted to advance the rods between the dies. Roll 16 is carried by ashaft 18 which isdriven by power and has an elastic tread 19. Roll-17 is movably supported and urged by a spring20 toward roll 16 for ,gripping the rods between the rolls. The rolls161and 17 are adapted to grip the leading end of rods from the dies, advance the rods until their trailing endsare released by the rolls, and to move the rods endwse to the classifier.

The invention is adaptedto-classify rods discharged from the straightening dies,-according to length, and comprises generally a longitudinal rail or element 70 over which one end the rods. travel sidewise, Aa longitudinal table or element 60 which is overlappedbythe opposite end of rods of dilferent lengths and.is separated from the rail by `a space or gap of progressively increasing width, for dropping the rods when the Width of the space causes the rod'to dropyand an endless lconveyor for engaging the rods and conveying them over` the table. and rail until they are dropped into compartments and classied ,according to length. The rods are held by gravity onthe table 60 and rail 79. The apparatusincludes a conveyor unit for moving the rods transversely,randafclassiiier unit which are structurally separable'to adaptthe conveyor unit for use with diiierent classiiiers.

The feed roll 16is driven ibysuitable-gearing which may be driven from the power-operatedmechanism which reciprocatesfthe upper-die-ll. -The rods are successively discharged from the feed rollsvendwise under a guide `54 of inverted U-shape `in cross -section=whichfoverlies an inclined plate 55. The trailingends of the rods will drop onto plate 5S and are guided onto the adjacent endn of Arailil). The leading ends of the rods drop onplate-55 and slide or vroll downwardly-toward-the table60. 'A

`series of bins or compartments 79 are :disposed ,under the gap between table60fand rail 70, eachfor receiving-rods of substantially-'the same length. The frontof rbins '79 are open for the removal ofthe classified rods.

The conveyor unit comprises fa supporting vstructure which includes side panelsZl-ofplate metal, legs 22 and 23 at one side, legs 24 and 25-:at the other side, braces 26 and angular 4crossbars 27, -all rigidlyl secured together. An endless conveyor is operative between the panels 21 and comprises a pairoffsprocket wheels 30 on a .cross shaft 31 which is journalled inibearings 32 on side panels 21, a pair fo sprocket'wheels 34 on a driven shaft 35 which is journalled in adjustable bearings 36,*and-endless chains 38 extending around and between sprocket wheels 30 Vand 34. VShaft v35 is drivenrby speed-reducing gearing 40 from an electric motor 41-by a pulley 42 on theshaft of said motor, a belt '43 fand a pulleyon the input/shaft of gearing 40.

The chains 38 are cross connected by transversesleeves '38 and rods 38a`for eq-uidistanttravel. Rollers 44 journalled on the outer ends of rods 38a which extend through transversely aligned-links 'of chains 38tride on rails 46 of angular cross section whiletravelling inthe upperrea'ch of the chains 38, and ride on similar rails 47'While travellingin the lower' reach oflthe chains yfor supportingsaid chains to travel horizontally and rectilinearlybetween sprocket wheels 30 and'34. A series of cross bars 48 are secured to links of the chains 38 and a series of flights 50 .are secured to the'front 'faceof each cross bar 48 for engaging the rods on the table- 60-and conveying them sidewise over table-60andrail 70. The lower'end of inclined vplate SS-is providedrwithfslots 49through which the flights 50 pass'- to-.engage the. rear ,sideof^ the. rodsfor advancing them transversely along table 60 and rail 70,

C. The tips of flights 50 travel close to table 60 and convey the rods longitudinally of the table 60 and rail 70 until the ends which overlap the table 60 pass oi the inner inclined edge 68. The rods on plate 55 gravitate into the path of the flights 50. The front of bars 4S and flights 50 thereon are `arranged in a plane which is inclined horizontally relatively to the transverse axis of the chain conveyor so that the ends of rods of diierent length-s on table 60 will travel in advance of their ends on rail 70, and the rods as they are advanced sidewise by the flights S0, will urge the rods endwise toward the vertical flange of rail 70. In this manner, the ends of all rods on rail 70 will travel in alignment and rods of the same length will pass oi the edge 68 at the same point longitudinally of the table 60.

The classifier unit comprises a supporting structure which. includes longitudinal sills 61 and 62, a cross beam 63 secured to said sills, legs 64 under beam 63, a leg 65 at the rear end of sills, and intermediate posts 66 which are provided with screws and nuts 67 for levelling said structure adjacent its longitudinal center.

The table 60 is formed of plate metal and with its supporting structure is structurally separate from the conveyor unit. The table 60 is at and its inner longitudinal edge 68 with the rail 70 deiines a space or gap of progressively increasing width through which the leading ends of the rod will drop when they reach a width of the gap which permits them to pass oi the inner edge 68 of the table. Bars 76 are supported on the cross beam 63. Posts 78 are secured to bars 76 and brackets 77 support guide 54 on said posts. Plate 55 is also supported on said posts and the table 60. The endless conveyor overlies the table 60 and is adapted to convey the rods sidewise and longitudinally of the table and rail 70.

Assuming the die 12 of the straightening apparatus to be reciprocated, the rods a will be fed endwise in succession to the dies 11 and 12 and the feed rolls a and b will grip the leading ends of the rods and advance the rods endwise between the dies which will straighten the rods.

The operation of the classifier will be as follows: Rods of varying lengths, when released by the feed rolls 17 and 18 intermittently drop through the open bottom of guide 54 onto the inclined plate 55 on which they .are free to roll or slide transversely downwardly to the table 60. The endless conveyor is continuously driven and moves the tips of ights S while bars 48 are moved downwardly and forwardly around sprocket wheels 30, through the slots 49 in plate S5 behind and into engagement with any rod which has passed onto the table 60 or the adjacent portion of said plate 55. The bars 43 and liights from the sprockets 30 are advanced in a rectilinear path by the lower reach of chains 38 as the rollers 44 travel on the tracks 47.and the tips of the flights S0 advance the rods transversely over the table 60 and rail 70. The ends of the rods upon leaving feed rolls 16 and 17 pass onto and are aligned on the rail 70 regardless of their length and the opposite ends of the rods overlie the table 60 from inclined edge 68 distances which vary according to their length. The ilights 50 will move the rods sidewise until the ends of the rods travelling over said `table reach the longitudinal point where they no longer span the gap of progressively increasing width between rail 70 and edge 68. The inner ends of the rods are left unsupported when they pass oft edge 68 and will `drop until the outer ends remain retarded by the rail 70 until they drop to angle which will rca-use their outer ends to slide off rail 70 and the rods to gravitate into the subjacent compartment. The short rods will drop into compartments nearest the plate 55, and rods of greater length will be conveyed along table 60 and dropped in graduated succession according to lengths. Y

During the sidewise movement of the rods over the table 60 and rail 70, the ights S0 in each bar 58 are arranged so the plane across their front faces is horizontally inclined relatively to the transverse axis of the conveyor with the flight at over the inner side of the table 60 in advance of the flight adjacent the rail 70. This inclined arrangement of the flights will cause the inner ends of each rod to travel on the table 60 in advance of its outer end on rail 70 and urge the i-nner end of each rod endwise into engagement with the inner side of the vertical ilange on rail 70. This alignment of the ends of the rods l0n rail 70 produces correct classification and causes them to drop into compartments 79 according to their lengths. This 'causes the leading ends of each rod to overlap the inclined edge 68 of the table a distance which varies accurately according to its length, and rods of the same length to `drop through the gap between edge 68 and rail 70 to drop into the same compartment 79.

This apparatus is adapted for classifying and distributing rods of different diameters according to length to expedite their selection for re-use. The classifier unit is separate from the conveying unit. This makes it possible to use the conveyor unit with classifiers for different classiications as to lengths. The apparatus has a high capacity for classification of rods as fast as they are delivered from a rod straightening mechanism.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for classifying rods according to length, comprising: a stationary longitudinal rail on which one end of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, an abutment along the rail for one end of the rods, a stationary longitudinal table on which the opposite ends of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, the table and rail having a space between them spanned by the rods and of progressively increasing Width so that rods of dilerent lengths on the rail will varyingly overlap the table, and a driven endless conveyor above the table and the rail, provided with depending means for engaging the rods and conveying them sidewise in individually spaced relation along the table and rail until the ends of the rods overlapping the table pass over and drop into said space, said depending means holding the rods at an acute angle to the abutment to urge the rods endwise toward the abutment.

2. Apparatus for classifying rods according to length, comprising: a stationary longitudinal rail on which one end of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, an abutment along the rail for one end of the rods, a stationary longitudinal table on which the opposite ends of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, means for guiding rods laterally toward the rail and table with one end of each rod on the table and the other end on the rail, means for feeding the rods in endwise succession to the guide means in a direction normal to the rail, the feeding means releasing the rods with one end thereol` in registry with the rail, the table and rail having a space between them spanned by the rods and of progressively increasing Width so that rods of different length on the rail will varyingly overlap the table, and a driven endless conveyor above the table and the rail, provided with depending means for `engaging the rods and conveying them sidewise in individually spaced relation along the table and rail until the ends of the rods overlapping thc table pass over and drop into said space, said depending means holding the rods at an acute angle to the abutment to urge the rods endwise toward the abutment.

3. Apparatus for classifying rods according to length, comprising: a stationary longitudinal rail on which one end of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, an abutment along the rail for one end of the rods, a stationary longitudinal table on which the opposite ends of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, an inclined plate at one end of the rail and table for guiding the rods sidewise to the table and rail, means for feeding the rods in a direction normal to the rail in endwise succession over and dropping them onto the plate with one end in registry with the rail, the table and rail having a space between them spanned by the rods and of progressively increasing width so that rods of dierent lengths on the rail will varyingly overlap the table, and a `driven endless conveyor above the table and the rail, provided with depending means for engaging the rods and conveying them sidewise in individually spaced relation along the table and rail until the ends of the rods overlapping the table pass over and drop into said space, said depending means holding the rods at an acute angle to the abutment to urge the rods endwise toward the abutment.

4. Apparatus for classifying rods according to length, comprising: a stationary longitudinal rail on which one end of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel provided with an upstanding iiange, for abutting one end of the rods, a stationary longitudinal table on which the opposite ends of' the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, the table and rail having a space between them spanned by the rods and of progressively increasing width so that rods of different lengths held on the rail will varyingly overlap the table, and a driven conveyor above the table and the rail, including a pair of endless transversely aligned elements, wheels around which the elements are trained, and spaced apart horizontally for upper and lower longitudinal reaches between the wheels, cross bars connecting said elements, llights on said bars depending from the lower reach of said members to engage the rods sidewise individually in spaced relation, rollers on said elements, rails above said rail and table to receive and support the rollers between the wheels, the ights being movable to convey the rods sidewise along the table and the rod-supporting rail until the ends of the rods overlapping the table pass over and drop into said space.

5. Apparatus for classifying rods according to length, comprising: a stationary longitudinal rail on which one end of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, an abutment along the rail for one end of the rods, a stationary longitudinal table on which the opposite ends of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, the table and rail having a space between them spanned by t the rods and of progressively increasing width so that rods of different lengths held on the rail will varyingly overlap the table, and a driven conveyor above the table and the rail, including a pair of endless transversely aligned elements, wheels around which the elements are trained, and spaced apart for upper and lower longitudinal reaches between the wheels, ilights depending from the lower reach of said elements to engage the rods sidewise individually in spaced relation, and horizontally inclined at an acute angle to the abutment for urging the rods endwise toward said abutment, the ilights being movable to convey the rods sidewise along the table and the rodsupporting rail until the ends of the rods overlapping the table pass over and drop into said space.

6. Apparatus for classifying rods according to length, comprising: a stationary longitudinal rail on which one end of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel, an abutment along the rail for one end of the rods, a stationary longitudinal table on which the opposite ends of the rods are held by gravity for sidewise travel pro vided with a longitudinally inclined under edge, to provide a space between the rail and the table, spanned by the rods and of progressively increasing width so that rods of dilerent lengths held on the rail will varyingly overlap the table, and a driven conveyor above the table and the rail, including a pair of endless transversely aligned elements, wheels around which the elements are trained, and spaced apart horizontally for upper and lower longitudinal reaches between the wheels, cross bars connecting said elements, flights on said bars depending from the lower reach of said elements to engage the rods sidewise individually in spaced relation, roller and track means for guiding the elements horizontally between the wheels, the ights being movable rectilinearly to convey the rods sidewise along the table until the ends of the rods overlapping the table pass over and drop into said space.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 663,681 Nichols Dec. 11, 1900 860,167 Ward July 16, 1907 1,245,584 Hallock Nov. 6, 1917 1,305,900 Harnish June 3, 1919 1,348,497 Kahn Aug. 3,' 1920 1,429,764 OQuinn Sept. 19, 1922 1,555,704 Rhodes Sept. 29, 1925 2,295,190 Zeuge et al Sept. 8, 1942 2,396,553 Ciruli Mar, 12, 1946 2,705,072 Calvin Mar. 29, 1955 

